Sunday, 22 February 2015

Another
heavy frost last night, -5°C first thing, so doubt there will be much
in the Moth Trap. However, at first light and among the 'whiter shade of
pale' was a welcome splash of colour along with a Wren perched on the
doorstep on Slight Return II.

'Dancing'

PHEASANTs

While
no claims of true migration are being made from at Parley Court Farm,
there is certainly already evidence of some 'dispersal' on the
watercourses. On Wednesday (18) the first

COOT

arrived on Parley Pond along with an increase on the daily tally of

MOORHEN

While
some time has been given over to finding anecdotal evidence that Coot
has been recorded on the Irrigation Pond in the past, none as yet has
been forthcoming. That would make the c2 that arrived there yesterday
the first ever for the North End of the property. In addition a second
Coot also appeared on PP the same day along with a lone

LITTLE GREBE
also yesterday, as returning from my rounds, a second visit was made
to Parley Pond which proved to be 'right place, right time' as a pair of

GADWALL
had decided to drop in. Only there for the briefest of stays they were
only the 5th and 6th individuals to have been recorded on the Farm.
In the continuing quest to become the worlds most Minimal Minimalist,
a couple of evenings this week have been spent jettisoning even more
keep sakes, memorabilia and junk consigning it to the
metaphoric scrap heap.

A glass ashtray (unused) from the
HMS ESKIMO
'second commission' on the Persian Gulf Squadron
assigned to the Secret Lemonade Drinker along with

A memento of the 1976
OLYMPIC SAILING TRIALS
held in Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay.
Our part on RMAS Cricklade was to lay all the courses as well as
forming the Start Gate for most of the Races.
'The' Games took place later that year in Canada.
This went to Secret's son Robert an adept Sailor himself.
To continue the wander around PCF

WATER (Aquatic) FERN

Azolla filliculoides
is now covering the Harbins Garden Pond
but also revealing other creatures.

The garden lies parallel with the 5th Fairway of their Golf Course

and as such it is not unusual to find the odd mis-directed Golf Ball.

These are usually picked up and placed in a garden urn which was my

intent for this one. On closer inspection it was seen to be hosting this tiny creature.

WANDERING SNAIL

Radix balthica

One of the 4 or 5

COMMON BUZZARD

which continue to thrive within the

Northern Section.

A familiar sight here, but one that had not yet been captured with the camera.

Everything is getting vocal here, but enough about Me, this

ROBIN
was making a far better fist of it.

DAISIES
already!

With another Species that seems to have done well here this winter

REED BUNTING
highest single count being 37.

Not at all accommodating, one of the local

SPARROWHAWK

It's been a long time coming but finally the task was set to ID these

NORWAY PINE
(Thanks to John Gifford)

Having disappeared for a while it was good to note over 300
STARLING
back on the farm yesterday.

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About Me

Born Beeston, Notts 1946, my family moved to Dorset 1959. Joined the Royal Navy age 15 years and 50 days serving 10 years. In frigates firstly then over 5 years in Submarines as a Seaman/Diver, reaching the dizzy heights of Leading Seaman before leaving to join the Merchant Service, working in Ocean Salvage and Harbour Tugs, passenger / cargo ships, trials vessels, etc. Qualified as Mate (Chief Officer) in 1976 and as Master (Captain) in 1978. For my final 20 years of 47 I worked in the Offshore Oil Industry initially on the drilling rig Stena Hunter, then the accommodation barge Borgland Dolphin and finally the Floating Production Platform Buchan Alpha. On the rigs I forged a number of long lasting friendships several of whom shared some of my extensive travels. Setting foot on Caymen, Bermuda, Bahamas and The Azores in March 2013 brought my countries total to 147. The best, undoubtedly, was Antarctica, followed by Australia, Mongolia, Belize, Zimbabwe, China and Madagascar, in no particular order. As for my greatest achievement in life, my 2 beautiful daughters bear witness to that. Love to all our readers, your in my thoughts. Bagsy